Action at Barrett's Farm, 19APR1775

photo courtesy Matt at wargamesinthedungeon

After a successful conclusion to a remote, mini-campaign using Rebels and Patriots, Matt and I decided we ought to give this concept another go.  With that in mind, Matt suggested I provide the scenarios this time.  Perhaps throw in an historical context as well.  That is what I did.

The mini-campaign will be set at the beginning of the American Revolution and focus on several actions around Concord after the march from Boston through Lexington to Concord. 

Scenario 1: Caching in the Farm or the Action at Barrett's Farm
Determined to deny the colonials much needed weapons and supplies, the British set off from Boston Common on April 19, 1775.  The target of this expedition was the town of Concord where supplies were rumored to be stored.  Included in the search of Concord was Barrett’s Farm a few miles beyond Concord where small arms and cannon were reportedly stockpiled.

The British expedition was composed mainly of flank companies from a number of regiments.  Some Loyalist militia were included to lead the way.  After brushing aside little resistance at Lexington, the British column pressed on to its objective at Concord.

Having arrived in Concord, reports were made suggesting that Barrett’s Farm was still an arsenal which included three cannon.  Elements of the British column set off to Barrett’s Farm, crossing the North Bridge on their way out of town.  Thus far, resistance had been little as colonial militia maintained a watchful eye on the procession as it made its way out of Concord.  As the column continued toward Barrett's Farm, reports continued to stream in suggesting that colonial militia were converging upon the Farm from other nearby towns to put up a show of force.

As the head of the British column approached the fields of the farm, one unit of militia was seen drawing up at the farm house.  Would the militia fall back upon the column’s approach or make a stand?  Could the woods to the south of the farm be harboring more militia?  The colonel of the column had orders to not fire upon the colonials first unless provoked.  Could these orders be maintained in the face of mounting resistance?

The Map: 

I provided a quick sketch map for Matt to use in setting his gaming table.  He turned my rough sketch map from this,

Barrett Farm Sketch Map (east at bottom)

into this:

Barrett Farm (south at bottom)
photo courtesy Matt at wargamesinthedungeon

Quite a remarkable transformation, no?  Gorgeous layout as expected from Matt.  Nice! 

The area shows the Barrett Farm and the fields surrounding the farm.  Since it is April, the fields have been plowed but no crops are seen growing.  Planting of some crops may already be in the ground.  It is about midday with plenty of time to see a conclusion to this skirmish.

The British column will march onto the battlefield along the road from Concord.  Alternately, the British could be allowed to enter along the eastern board edge. 

The Colonials have one unit deployed within the yard of Barrett’s Farm with more troops on the way.  Colonial entry is random as denoted on the map.

Supply caches will be placed randomly on the map, their contents unknown to either player until searched.  Six potential cache markers will be placed on the map following random location determination.  These six markers are labeled ‘A’ through ‘F’ and randomly and unknowingly placed face down so neither knows which letter identifies which cache.  The American player determines the location of the cache containing the cannons by making a letter-cache association at the start of the game.

SPECIAL:
Caches: it takes a British unit one action to search a cache.  After the action is expended, a player reveals the cache letter.  If the letter on the marker matches the designated cannon letter the British player scores Honor Points.

Firing the firsts shots: The British were ordered not to fire on the colonials unless pressed even though an effective British first fire may just convince the colonials to back down from their aggressive actions.  If the Colonials fire first in the encounter and cause a hit on any British unit then all Colonial units on board are no longer Timid.  If any British unit fires first in the encounter and causes a casualty then any Colonial unit within 12” of the target must make a morale check. 

The Action at Barrett's Farm pits a small, well-trained professional force fighting against a much larger colonial militia.  A real quality vs quantity contest where the British may be up against the clock to identify as many weapons' caches as possible while fighting back a growing militia presence.

OB:
British:

1 x Grenadiers: Shock, VET (8pts)

1 x Light Infantry: VET (7pts)

2 x British skirmishers: VET, Good Shooters (5pts each)

2 x Loyalist militia skirmishers: GREEN (1pts each)

total = 27 points

Americans:

1 x Colonial militia: GREEN, Timid (2pts)

2 x Colonial militia: Timid (3pts each)

1 x Colonial militia: VET, Timid (5pts)

2 x Minutemen skirmishers: Good shooters (4pts each)

1 x Riflemen skirmishers: Sharpshooters (6pts)

total = 27 points

OBJECTIVES:
Both:
+2 Honor if your company suffered fewer than 33% casualties.
+1 Honor if your company caused at least 33% casualties to the enemy.

American:
+1 Honor for each cache not searched.
+3 Honor if your company caused at least 50% casualties to enemy.

British:
+1 Honor for each cache searched.
+4 Honor if the discovered cache contains the guns.
+3 Honor for not firing the first shot.

Game Length:  Eight Turns plus a random turn extension of up to six additional turns.

With the stage set, next time, we see how the battle played out.